Louisiana Water Works

06/06/2023

Co-Directors Rachel Pickens & Miriam Belblidia at the kickoff of Water Works’ Community Care Circle! This inaugural pilot program brought together 20 incredible community responders, organizers, and mutual aid workers to explore how we can make community care more sustainable.

05/06/2023

An update from our team:

Over the years, we’ve been proud to work together on mutual aid, climate justice, water management, and disaster readiness & response. We have relied on each other through stressful hurricane seasons, shared power when the lights went out, and grounded our emergency response work in mutual aid.

Community has always been the cornerstone of our work, and none of this work would have been possible without you. We are grateful for your past support - and again, as we navigate new transitions. We are entering a new chapter.

Miriam Belblidia is stepping away from Imagine Water Works and resuming her leadership role with Louisiana Water Works. As Co-Director of LWW, Miriam will work alongside her team to expand the Library of Water and Community Care Circle, as well as pursue the mission she envisions for LWW moving forward - a mission rooted in climate justice, disaster management, and community response. Miriam is grateful for her time with Imagine Water Works and proud of the work we’ve all helped build together.

Klie Kliebert will continue to serve as Executive Director of Imagine Water Works, alongside IWW’s team and will continue its work on mutual aid, climate justice, water management, and disaster readiness & response. Its mission and values remain the same as well as a majority of its programs including the Storm Zine Program, Queer/Trans Guide to Storms, Hurricane Season Guide Program, Storm Prep Q&A on Instagram, Community Power Map, the New Orleans Community Resource Guide, Imagine Mutual Aid, and the Mutual Aid Response Network that you all rely on and helped to build. IWW leadership remains q***r, trans, Creole and Native.

For questions about Louisiana Water Works, please email [email protected]. and follow LWW’s work at https://www.facebook.com/waterworksnola.

For questions about Imagine Water Works, please email [email protected] and follow IWW’s work at https://www.facebook.com/ImagineWaterWorks or http://www.imaginewaterworks.org.

06/28/2022

When Hurricane Ida hit, we launched a fundraiser with a short and long term commitment to our community — a promise to use it for relief, recovery, and prep for the next one. And so that’s what we’ve done.

Immediately following Ida, we sent $15,000 to ***ryouth.nola to help take care of trans and q***r youth in the immediate aftermath. In the Spring, we reconnected to help prepare the youth group for this upcoming season.

We worked with the youth group to choose storm prep supplies that wouldn’t just help keep them more safe physically, but also mentally and spiritually. Along with TQY organizers, we pre-packed bags and also created a “free store” of sorts where they could pick out their favorites. We brought in breathwork by and a representative from New Orleans Public Library to talk about their book options, shared stories about how to find peace and joy even through storms, and learned about how to create our own safety — even through dysphoria or displacement. Our team talked about how to use the emergency supplies provided (pros and cons!), and we shared ways to enhance our prep beyond today.

We are beyond grateful for days like this, when we know we’ve got each other. These kids are our future, and they are amazing, y’all.

*Nearly 40 bags were distributed, each containing: a solar/crank/battery powered emergency radio and power bank, water bottle, gay/liberatory coloring book, reading book/comic, rain poncho, medical kit, community resource guide, coloring pencils, deck of cards, snacks, a long lighter, 2 seven day candles, 2 water resistant document folders, 3 fidget items, 5 cold packs, 2 pairs of socks, and 2 COVID tests. Hot food was provided. At least 10 of the bags were sent to Covenant House New Orleans to further support unhoused q***r and trans youth.

06/17/2022

“These are good, hardworking people just trying to do the right thing. They did what they were supposed to do,” said Jay Hebert, an attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services.

The Road Home program intended to help folks rebuild but ultimately ended up hurting those in need.

Constant rule changes meant to help homeowners after Hurricane Katrina ended up hurting those in need.

06/06/2022

DEADLINE EXTENDED to Wednesday, June 8th at 12 pm! You have two more days to take advantage of the QT Zine Open Call!

Submissions do not have to be storm related but should express deep connection to Southeast Louisiana or q***r/trans folks. All selected submissions will be paid.

More info: bit.ly/qtapply

06/03/2022

Tomorrow, June 4th from 12-3pm!

We've partnered with Fund The People to provide hurricane supplies and prep info to Black, Brown, and Indigenous poor and working class residents. If this is you, come through: Broadmoor Community Church @ 2021 South Dupre St.

Each kit from IWW contains: a solar/hand crank radio, flashlight, and power bank for charging devices like phones and USB fans; hand sanitizer; two water resistant document folders; five instant cold packs; and a printed copy of the New Orleans Community Resource Guide for Resistance and Renewal (digital copies are on our website).

FTP also contributed bags to hold everything, plus snacks and masks! COVID vaccinations will be available on-site from Crescent Care, crawfish from Power Coalition, disaster-related legal information from Emergency Legal Responders, and additional non-perishable grocery items from GNOCC.

NOTE: Radio and snack brands vary per kit. We have a limited number of kits and ask that you only take one if you do not have access to supplies. If you can purchase your own and would like more info about what we put in the kits and why, DM us! We also have a crank radio test station at our spot on Camp Street, and you're welcome to come see how they work. We aren't affiliated with any brands in the kits.

*Supplies from IWW for this event were purchased using the preparedness bucket of our Hurricane Ida Relief & Recovery fundraiser. In this stage of climate crisis... preparedness, relief, and recovery are now happening across Southeast Louisiana all at the same time. Many who were hit by Hurricane Ida are still recovering and have even fewer resources to safely prepare. Thanks again to all who donated and shared.

05/06/2022

RESOURCE: We're offering $100 gift cards to the SisterHearts Thrift Store in Arabi for individuals recovering from the tornado to be able to shop for what you need.

It's been just over six weeks since the tornado hit, and attention has already shifted elsewhere while our neighbors work to rebuild and recover. We were here in the immediate aftermath, distributing supplies and feeding our neighbors — and as always, we'll be here long after the news crews and national organizations leave.

About Sister Hearts:
SisterHearts Decarceration Program provides formerly incarcerated individuals with a safe environment to achieve their goals with dignity — providing personal development training, transportation, bank account support, driver’s license support, and more. The thrift store provides space for formerly incarcerated individuals to develop human connection, take hold of their agency, and regain their independence.

About Imagine Water Works:
Imagine Water Works is reimagining the future through art, science, and human connection. IWW's work has focused on water, climate, and disaster readiness and response across coastal Louisiana for the past decade. We address the full cycle of disasters with intention and care. We are responsive, not reactive — and we seek to build relationships and strengthen communities in both the short and long term at the same time.

How to help out with this effort:
Donate new or gently used furniture, appliances, housewares, and clothing items to the store! Donations can be dropped off during store hours. Monetary donations can be sent directly to or .

*This is a joint effort by Imagine Water Works and SisterHearts, each contributing $50 per card to help out our neighbors and advocate for autonomy in disaster recovery.*

05/05/2022

[OPEN CALL] APPLY BY JUNE 6th: Calling all Queer/Trans artists, healers, writers, educators, and creators in Southeast Louisiana! This is a paid opportunity ($50-$175 per piece).

In preparation for hurricane season, we’re requesting submissions that feel like love notes to this place and to our LGBTQ community. Selected work will be featured in our "Queer/Trans Guide to Storms".

Those who submit pieces should (1) identify as LGBTQ; (2) live in Southeast Louisiana; and (3) have prepared for a local flood or storm before.

Submissions can include but aren't limited to: poetry, creative writing, photography, prints, drawings, scans/photos of paintings or other forms of visual art, collages, song lyrics, comic strips, meditation mantras, acts of tradition or ceremonies, acts of healing or grounding, videos or audio (with a link or QR code), and relevant helpful tips/advice/sweet messages.

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MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT:

The Storm Zine Project is a series of zines that provide accurate, actionable, and grounding information to help specific communities prepare for storms and hurricanes.

Storm prep doesn't have to be completely overwhelming or scary! Each zine incorporates local art, intergenerational knowledge, and disaster management expertise with a hopeful, joyful, healing vibe.

LEARN MORE:

APPLY BY 6/6: Calling all Queer/Trans artists, healers, writers, and creators in Southeast Louisiana! Paid opportunity.

05/04/2022

“Increasingly, the first response to a natural disaster is a mutual aid response.”

Delighted to see an excerpt from our book chapter on “Mutual Aid: A Grassroots Model for Justice and Equity in Emergency Management” featured in this piece by Tanya Gulliver-Garcia for The Nonprofit Quarterly: “Grassroots mutual aid trusts those most impacted by disasters to know what they need and provides the ability to self-advocate, rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution.”

Read the article in NPQ:
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/the-growing-role-of-mutual-aid/?utm_content=206459532&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-61206610

Read our full book chapter:
https://www.imaginewaterworks.org/mutual-aid-a-grassroots-model-for-justice-and-equity-in-emergency-management/

The climate crisis is accelerating the pace of natural disasters. One way disaster recovery can address this is by supporting localities to build their capacity for mutual aid.

04/27/2022

In partnership with NNPHI and LPHI, we distributed $100,000 directly to Public Health Workers impacted by Hurricane Ida.

We received 828 applications from 21 parishes throughout Southeast Louisiana for the Public Health Workers: Hurricane Ida Recovery Fund. During the selection process, we focused on parishes below I-10 that received a disaster declaration from Hurricane Ida, and we ultimately funded 200 workers across 13 parishes.

We took an expansive view of Public Health, moved resources to those in rural areas, and prioritized LGBTQ and BIPOC individuals.

Of those selected…
- 90% identified as BIPOC
- 42% identified as LGBTQ
- 7% identified as transgender and/or nonbinary
- 72% live outside of New Orleans

We funded applicants who represented 42 different Public Health Workers jobs, with the most representation in Community & Environmental Health Workers (19%), Mental Health Care Providers (14%), Social Workers & Case Workers (14%), and Disaster Responders, EMTs, and Firefighters (14%).

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The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) and the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) provided us with a $10,000 grant to fund 20 applications. We contributed $90,000 from our Hurricane Ida Relief & Recovery Fund to fund an additional 180 applications.

Together we awarded $500 grants to 200 Public Health Workers who were significantly impacted by the storm.

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Thank you to NNPHI, LPHI, and everyone who shared and contributed to our Ida fundraiser. Your support helps us get resources right back to our people across coastal Louisiana — with the care and intention that we all need and deserve.

READ THE FULL REPORT:

In partnership with NNPHI and LPHI, we distributed $100,000 directly to Public Health Workers impacted by Hurricane Ida.

04/19/2022

It’s back! The newest edition of the “New Orleans Community Resource Guide for Resistance and Renewal” is being printed this week and is available for download now via our website at bit.ly/nolacrg.

The guide has been compiled with the intention of increasing public access to services that are free or low-cost in the New Orleans area. Most listings are for services located in Orleans & Jefferson parishes, although select state and nationwide services have also been included.

Listed resources were contacted by phone and asked to verify the information listed. Organizations were specifically and intentionally asked about funding options for uninsured patients, the availability of Spanish translation services, and their ability to provide services for transgender and non-binary patients. Available transgender and non-binary services have been incorporated throughout and can also be found in a dedicated section of this guide.

In the interest of maintaining a portable size for this guide, many listings direct folks to call for more information, or refer to an organization’s website.
This guide is a 2022 update based on information compiled by staff and volunteers for the REACH NOLA/Common Ground Health Clinic Community Resource Guide from 2006-14, and working directly from the 2020 edition, which sourced information compiled by volunteers at the Center for Ethical Living & Social Justice Renewal, as well as the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming NOLA Resource Guide produced by Dr. Jennifer Glick and Dr. Robin Ivester.

This edition has been produced entirely by volunteers and is not affiliated with any organization or institution. It has been produced as a public service by volunteer community members and is available free of charge to all people.

Huge shoutout to Coleen Murphy for coordinating again this year!

04/08/2022

It’s not too late to get your food garden going! Reminder of this resource from :

“COVID-19 Victory Garden is a special issue of GNO Gardening written by our horticulture agents in the Greater New Orleans area. Available online: https://bit.ly/COVID19VictoryGardens

Info includes:
-Vegetable Container Gardening
-Growing Fruit Trees in Containers
-Growing in Raised Beds

Keep in mind it is written for that region, but much of the information can be used across the state!”